Columbus event celebrates women veterans' contributions and stories

A group of women veterans met on Thursday at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus to honor women's contributions to the military. The event took place as concerns arose about current government actions that seem to diminish women's roles in the armed forces. Renée Frey, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, expressed worry that stories of women who rose through the ranks are being erased from military history. This sentiment resonates with many in the current political climate, where some top women officers have been dismissed. The museum, which has a national designation, is managed by a local nonprofit. It hosted the event in partnership with the Columbus City Council. Jennifer Ballou, an Army veteran and chief of staff at the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation, delivered the keynote address. She shared her personal experiences, including the loss of her husband during their time in Afghanistan. After Ballou's speech, attendees shared their own stories in small groups. Katharina Mills, a former Army medic, talked about the challenges women faced in receiving recognition during deployments. She noted changes in policy that now allow women to serve in combat units. Mills voiced concerns about potential setbacks for women in the military, referencing U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's past opposition to women in combat roles. She emphasized the importance of continuing to share women veterans' stories to prevent erasure of their contributions. Ballou echoed this message, encouraging women to speak out and share their experiences now more than ever.